Blueberry plant named ‘C15-268’

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘C15-268’ is provided. ‘C15-268’ is a commercial variety intended for the fresh market. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘FL12-082’ (unpatented seed parent) and ‘FL12-069’ (unpatented pollen parent).

Latin name of the family, genus, and species: Family—Ericaceae.Genus—Vaccinium. Species—corymbosum hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘C15-268’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘C15-268’ was selected from a population of seedlingsderived from crossing the blueberry varieties known as ‘FL12-082’(unpatented seed parent) and the variety known as ‘FL12-069’ (unpatentedpollen parent). The cross was made in 2012 in Florida, USA and the seedwas sown and grown in Corindi Beach, New South Wales, Australia. The newvariety was selected in 2015 from among plants located on land atCorindi Beach and assigned the breeding code ‘C15-268’. Plants of‘C15-268’ were propagated by cuttings for further evaluation andresulted to be uniform and stable. The new variety showed distinctivetraits such as evergreen, with fruit of good flavor, large fruit size,and firmness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘C15-268’ was originated from a cross of ‘FL12-082’(unpatented seed parent) and the variety known as ‘FL12-069’ (unpatentedpollen parent) in 2012 in Florida, USA.

The new blueberry variety resulted from seedlings produced in acontrolled breeding programme. The cross was made in 2012 in Florida,USA and the seed was sown and grown in Corindi Beach, New South Wales,Australia.

The new variety was selected in 2015 from among plants located on landat Corindi Beach and has since been named ‘C15-268’. Since then plantsof ‘C15-268’ were propagated by cuttings for further evaluation andconfirmed to be uniform and stable. Asexual reproduction of the newvariety ‘C15-268’ by cutting propagation since 2015 at Corindi Beach,New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new varietyreproduces true to type plants.

The new variety was selected in 2015 as a single plant within apopulation of seedlings resulting from controlled cross of Vacciniumvarieties. The seedling population was planted in an experimental blockin the field at Corindi Beach, New South Wales, Australia and theselection of the new variety took place in the same block. Selectioncriteria were a combination of mid to late cropping season, low chillingrequirement, strong plant vigour, non-deciduous type of plant(evergreen), large fruit size, good fruit flavor, and very firm fruit.The new variety was subsequently evaluated for five years at thecommercial farm at Corindi Beach, New South Wales, Australia.

The following characteristics of the new variety have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘C15-268’ as a new and distinctvariety of Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid:

-   -   1. Non-deciduous (Evergreen)    -   2. Medium to late season crop    -   3. Strong vigour    -   4. High yields    -   5. Low chilling requirement    -   6. Excellent fruit firmness    -   7. Low acidity content in the fruit and good flavor

The new blueberry variety ‘C15-268’ has maintained its distinguishedcharacteristics throughout successive asexual propagation. The varietyhas been repeatedly asexually reproduced through softwood cuttings inNew South Wales, Australia and the clones are phenotypically identicalto the original plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘C15-268’. Thecolors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of three-year-old plants of the new variety‘C15-268’.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the typical fruit cluster of the new variety‘C15-268’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the botanical parts (ripe fruit, green fruit,flowers and leaves) of the new variety ‘C15-268’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited inthe detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of thenew blueberry variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘C15-268’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. For alltraits data was collected from 3 plant parts across 6 randomly selectedplants. For the traits relating to fruits (e.g., fruit weight, firmness,brix, acidity) the data is an average across twenty fruits collectedrandomly. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 3 years ofage, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in CorindiBeach, New South Wales, 2456 Australia. Descriptions of fruitcharacteristics were made on fruit grown in Corindi Beach, New SouthWales, 2456 Australia. Color designations are from The 2007 edition ofThe Royal Horticultural Society (“RHS”). ‘C15-268’ has not been observedunder all possible environments. The phenotype may vary slightly withdifferent growing environments such as temperature, light, fertility,soil pH, moisture and maturity levels, but without any change in thegenotype.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—Corymbosum hybrid.        -   d. Common Name.—Blueberry.-   Parentage: Female Parent—unpatented selection ‘FL12-082’. Male    Parent—unpatented selection ‘FL12-069’.-   Market Class: Fresh market.

PLANT

-   General:    -   -   Parentage.—FL12-082 x FL12-069.        -   Plant height.—1.5 m.        -   Plant width.—1.12 m.        -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.        -   Growth.—Strong vigour.        -   Mature cane length.—0.60 m.        -   Mature cane width.—14.1 mm.        -   Mature cane color.—Grey-brown group, similar to N199C, with            streak of grey-brown group similar to 199C.        -   Bark texture.—Medium (texture between rough and smooth).        -   Fall color on new shoots.—The base color is green group,            similar to 138A and with no noticeable over color.        -   Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth, similar to that of            ‘Snowchaser’.        -   Internode length on strong, new shoots.—36 mm.        -   Fruiting wood in length.—42 cm.        -   Productivity.—Medium to high yield. Average of 5 Kg per            plant (estimated equivalent production of 11 pounds per            plant) from 3 year old plants when growing in 17 L pots at            Corindi Beach, NSW. The plants are spaced at 0.7 m apart            along the row and 2.5 m between the rows, which gives an            estimated plant density of 5700 plants per hectare.        -   Cold hardiness.—Low chill (USDA plant hardiness Zone 4).        -   Cold tolerance.—Low.        -   Chilling requirement.—Low, estimated between 150 and 300            hours.        -   Resistance to disease.—The variety is susceptible to            blueberry leaf rust (Thekopsora minima).        -   Heat tolerance.—Moderately resistant to heat.        -   Leafing.—Overall strong and plant retains leaves during the            winter.        -   Twigginess.—Low.

FOLIAGE

-   General:    -   -   Leaf color (top side).—Green group, similar to 137A and            137B.        -   Leaf color (under side).—Green group, similar to N138C.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   Leaf margins.—Entire.        -   Leaf venation.—Reticulate.        -   Leaf length.—Short, average 54.2 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Narrow to medium, average 28.8 mm.        -   Leaf length/width ratio.—1.9.        -   Shape of the leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of the leaf base.—Cuneate.        -   Leaf nectaries.—Absent.        -   Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.        -   Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.        -   Cross sectional profile.—Flat.        -   Longitudinal profile.—Straight.        -   Attitude.—Horizontal.-   Petioles:    -   -   Length.—Average 4.4 mm.        -   Width.—Average 1.7 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow green group, similar to 145B.        -   Texture.—Smooth.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   Time beginning of flowering.—Medium to late (50% of anthesis            estimated to be on the 15th of July, on 3 year old plants,            cultivated at Corindi Beach, NSW).        -   Flower shape.—Urceolate.        -   Flower fragrance.—None perceptible.-   Corolla:    -   -   Shape.—Urceolate.        -   Color.—White group, similar to NN155B.        -   Length.—8.2 mm.        -   Width of widest region.—9.2 mm.        -   Aperture width.—3.9 mm.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent to very weak.        -   Corolla ridges.—Present.        -   Petal width (ridge to ridge).—5.53 mm.        -   Protrusion of stigma.—Present.        -   Corolla/petal texture.—Smooth.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence length (excluding peduncle).—Long, average            20.89 mm.        -   Inflorescence width.—20 mm.        -   Flower length (excluding pedicel).—10.27 mm.        -   Flower diameter.—8.83 mm.        -   Flower length/width ratio.—1.16.        -   Surface texture of peduncle.—Medium (texture between rough            and smooth).        -   Color of peduncle.—Yellow-green group, similar to 145B and            145C, with greyed-red group, similar to 182A on top.        -   Length of pedicel.—11.7 mm.        -   Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.        -   Color of pedicel.—Yellow green group, similar to 145A and            146C.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—7 on average.        -   Flower cluster density.—Dense.        -   Flowering interval on one-year old shoot.—July to August.        -   Flowering interval on current year shoot.—June to August.-   Calyx (with sepals):    -   -   Diameter.—6.3 mm.        -   Number of sepals per flower.—6.        -   Sepal shape.—Deltoid.        -   Sepal shape of the apex.—Acute.        -   Margin of sepals.—Entire.        -   Texture of sepal's lower and upper side.—Smooth.        -   Color of sepal's lower side.—Yellow green group 144B.        -   Color of sepal's upper side.—Yellow green group 144A.-   Stamen:    -   -   Length.—7.6 mm.        -   Number per flower.—10.        -   Filament color.—Yellow-green group, similar to 145D.-   Pistil:    -   -   Length (including ovary).—11.3 mm.        -   Style: length (including stigma).—9.6 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow-green group, similar to N144B.-   Anther:    -   -   Length.—4.5 mm.        -   Number per flower.—10.        -   Color.—Greyed-orange group, similar to 165B.-   Pollen:    -   -   Self compatibility.—Yes (the variety shows a high degree of            self-compatibility).        -   Abundance.—Abundant.        -   Color.—Yellow group, similar to 11A.

FRUIT

-   General:    -   -   Time of fruit ripening.—Medium to late, estimated 50% of the            fruit ripe on the 15^(th) September, on 3 year old plants,            growing at Corindi Beach, NSW.        -   Cluster density.—Dense, average 7 and range between 6 to 9.        -   Unripe fruit color.—Light green, yellow green group, similar            to 145A.        -   Ripe berry color.—Blue group 103A.        -   Berry surface wax abundance.—Very strong.        -   Berry weight.—Large berry, on average 3.2 g.        -   Berry height from calyx to scar.—14.48 mm.        -   Berry diameter.—19.4 mm.        -   Berry shape.—Oblate.        -   Fruit diameter of calyx basin.—Medium (5.9 mm).        -   Fruit depth of calyx basin.—Deep.        -   Fruit stem scar.—Small and dry.        -   Sweetness when ripe.—Medium to high (13 Brix).        -   Firmness when ripe.—Very firm, 240 g/mm, measured with            FirmTech.        -   Acidity when ripe.—Low to medium (0.3%).        -   Fruit flesh color.—Yellow-green 145C.        -   Storage quality.—Medium to long storage, average 25 days.        -   Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Not tested.        -   Self-fruitfulness.—Yes.        -   Uses.—Fruit to be hand harvested for fresh market.

SEED

-   General:    -   -   Seed abundance in fruit.—Abundant, on average 36 seeds per            fruit.        -   Seed color.—Greyed orange group 167A.        -   Seed length.—1.9 mm.

COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR CULTIVARS

Table 1 below provides a comparison between ‘C15-268’ and similarcultivars:

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘C15-268’ with similar varieties ‘C99-042’‘Snowchaser’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristics ‘C15-268’No. 20,695P2) No. 19,503P3) Plant vigour Strong Weak to medium MediumPlant growth habit Semi-upright Semi-upright to Semi-uprightintermediate One year old shoot Medium Very short to Short length ofinternodes short Leaf length Short Short Long Leaf length (mm) 54.2 ±1.4 53.10 ± 0.8  61.50 ± 0.9  Leaf width Narrow to Very narrow to Broadmedium narrow Leaf width (mm) 28.8 ± 2.2 22.9 ± 1.3  34.3 ± 1.5  Flowersize of Small to Medium Medium corolla medium Flower corolla  8.2 ± 0.49.7 ± 0.3 9.5 ± 0.3 length (mm) Fruit cluster density Dense SparseMedium Fruit size Large Small to medium Small to medium Fruit weight (g) 3.2 ± 0.5  1.9 ± 0.39  1.7 ± 0.21 Fruit diameter (mm) 19.4 ± 1.2 15.6 ±0.96 15.10 ± 0.97  Fruit depth of calyx Deep Medium Shallow basin Fruitintensity of Very Strong Weak to medium Weak to medium bloom Fruitfirmness Very firm Firm Soft 241 (g/mm) 203 (g/mm) 177 (g/mm) Solublesolid 13.0 13.1 14.3 content (%) Titratable acidity  0.3  0.3  0.5 (%)Time of vegetative Late early early bud burst Time of beginning Mediumto Early to medium Very early to of flowering late early Time ofbeginning Medium to Early to medium Very early to of fruit ripening lateearly

Table 2 below provides a comparison between ‘C15-268’ and ‘C15-270’:

TABLE 2 Comparison of ‘C15-268’ with ‘C15-270’ ‘C15-270’ (U.S. Plantpatent application No. Characteristics ‘C15-268’ 17/803,047) Mature canewidth 14.1 15.8 (mm) Fall color on new Green group, The base color isgreen shoots similar to 138A, group, similar to 137C and with nonoticeable and with over color, over color red-purple group 59AInternode length on 36.0 33.3 strong, new shoots (mm) Leaf width Narrowto medium Broad Fruiting wood (cm) in 42.0 39.0 length Fruit weight (g)3.2 ± 0.5   3 ± 0.3 Fruit diameter (mm) 19.4 ± 1.2  18.9 ± 1.3 Fruitintensity of Very Strong Medium bloom Fruit stem scar Small and dryLarge in size and wet Disease resistance Susceptible to resistant toblueberry blueberry leaf rust leaf rust (Thekopsora minima) (Thekopsoraminima) Titratable acidity (%)  0.3  0.4 Time of beginning of Medium tolate Late flowering Time of beginning of Medium to late Late fruitripening Time of beginning of Early to medium Late flowering Fruitstorage quality medium to long storage, Low, average of 17 (days)average 25 days days

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blueberryplant named ‘C15-268’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.